Originally posted: 06/24/2019

Preeminent: “greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement; superior; surpassing; eminent above or before others.”

The sons of Israel are to arm themselves before the LORD, to cross over the Jordan before the LORD; He Himself will drive His enemies out before the LORD and subdue the land before the LORD.

“…arm yourselves before the Lord for the war, ²¹ and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven His enemies out from before Him, ²² and the land is subdued before the Lord, (32:20-22).

Four times this phrase, “before the Lord” is repeated.

From Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance we learn about the word translated as before: 3942. לִפְנָי lip̱nāy: An adverb meaning before, in front of. It is used to indicate physical position, in front of something.

All that is transpiring is to be before the LORD, a description of the physical positioning of the events as described by Moses; proclaiming His Preeminent Position as eminent before others, every event subject to the LORD.

Consider His Preeminent Position

• His Preeminent Position Proclaimed in His Purpose
  • “Now why are you discouraging the sons of Israel from crossing over into the land which the Lord has given them?” (32:7).

• His Preeminent Position Proclaimed in His Protection
  • “…arm yourselves before the Lord for the war,” (32:20).

• His Preeminent Position Proclaimed in His Power
  • “and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the Lord,” (32:21).

• His Preeminent Position Proclaimed in His Purity
  • “… until He has driven His enemies out from before Him,” (32:21).

• His Preeminent Position Proclaimed in His Provision
  • “and the land is subdued before the Lord,” (32:22).

His Preeminent Position proclaimed in His Omnipotence and Sovereignty is never subject to man, yet He has chosen to work through the obedience and faith of His people to drive out His enemies.

But make no mistake; He alone is in the Preeminent Position to determine who goes, who stays, who is subdued and who shall be liberated.

How do we respond to His Preeminent Position?

The eligible warriors were suited for war, armed and proceeding according to His Purpose; but it was not in their doing or strength to subdue the enemies and drive them from the land. As they placed themselves in a position of humility and dependency before Him, they experienced Him in His Preeminent Position Proclaiming His Purpose, Protection, Power, Purity and Provision.

We too must recognize His Preeminent Position as we place ourselves in our rightful position before Him in humility, faith, dependency, and praise.

• Humility
  • “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you,” (James 4:10).
  • “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,” (1 Peter 5:6).

• Faith
  • “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst,'” (John 6:35).
  • “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'” ³⁹ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified,” (John 7:38-39).

• Dependency
  • “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God,” (Philippians 4:6).
  • “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you,” (1 Peter 5:7).

• Praise
  • “I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.
    ¹³ For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead,” (Psalm 86:12-13 NIV).
  • “Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Let us so position ourselves before the Lord, that we would live to daily bring Him glory and proclaim His Preeminent Position.

Let’s Grow Together!